When you’re planning a home project, whether it’s a full-scale renovation or simply a refresh of a single room, you might hear the terms “interior design” and “interior decoration” used. While they’re sometimes used interchangeably, these two professions involve different areas of expertise. Understanding the key distinctions between interior design and interior decoration can help you choose the right professional for your needs and ensure your vision for the space is brought to life. In this post, we’ll dive deep into what sets these two roles apart and when you should hire each one.

Understanding the Confusion

Most people think of interior design and interior decoration as one and the same because both focus on improving a home’s aesthetics. However, the work that interior designers and interior decorators do varies quite a bit. Knowing which one to hire can make a big difference in your project’s outcome.

While interior design typically focuses on the form and function of a space, often requiring technical adjustments or collaboration with other professionals like contractors and architects, interior decoration revolves around aesthetics—furniture, color palettes, and decor pieces that bring a space to life.

For example, if you’re remodeling a kitchen, you’ll likely need an interior designer to help reconfigure the layout, choose the appropriate materials, and ensure that your design is both functional and beautiful. On the other hand, if you’re simply refreshing your living room with a new color scheme and furniture, you’ll need an interior decorator.

What Is Interior Design?

Definition: Interior design is a holistic approach to creating a functional, beautiful space. It often involves reworking the architecture of a room or even an entire house to optimize how it’s used. Interior designers don’t just decorate—they create layouts, select materials, and oversee construction to ensure the space flows well and supports your lifestyle.

Key Responsibilities of Interior Designers:

• Space Planning and Layout: This is one of the most critical tasks of an interior designer. Space planning goes beyond simply arranging furniture; it’s about ensuring a space serves the intended function. For example, if you’re redesigning a kitchen, the designer will consider how to organize your appliances, countertops, and storage to make cooking and entertaining seamless. They might employ the kitchen work triangle concept (which dictates the most efficient placement of the stove, sink, and fridge) to enhance flow.
• Structural Changes: Designers often recommend and implement structural changes to enhance the space. This could include tearing down walls to create an open-concept living area or adding architectural features like built-in shelving or coffered ceilings. Unlike decorators, interior designers have the technical expertise to recommend these kinds of alterations and work with engineers, contractors, and builders to bring them to life.
• Coordination with Other Professionals: Designers often act as project managers, coordinating with other professionals to ensure the project runs smoothly. For example, if you’re remodeling your bathroom, the designer might collaborate with a contractor to install a custom vanity or select the best materials for flooring that can withstand humidity.
• Project Management: Interior designers manage projects from start to finish, ensuring everything from the construction timeline to budget allocation is handled efficiently. They serve as a client’s go-to person, ensuring all the design elements—whether structural or decorative—are aligned with the client’s vision.

Skills Involved:

Interior designers need a mix of creative and technical skills. They have a deep understanding of:

• Architecture: Knowledge of architectural principles allows designers to make informed decisions about a space’s structure. For example, they might determine how to knock down a wall without compromising the home’s structural integrity.
• Building Codes and Regulations: Interior designers must follow local building codes, especially when making structural changes. They ensure that things like lighting, ventilation, and safety measures are up to code.
• Materials and Finishes: Designers understand the properties of different materials (e.g., hardwood, tile, stone) and can recommend the best ones for your project based on durability, style, and maintenance needs.

What Is Interior Decoration?

Definition: Interior decoration focuses on enhancing the visual appeal of a space. It doesn’t typically involve changing the structure or layout of a room, but rather selecting color schemes, furniture, textiles, and decor that match the homeowner’s personal taste and the space’s functionality.

Key Responsibilities of Interior Decorators:

• Color Schemes: A key part of interior decoration is selecting the right color palette. A decorator helps clients choose colors that reflect their style, but also considers the room’s natural light, existing furnishings, and how the colors interact to create mood. For example, soft neutrals might be perfect for creating a calm, serene bedroom, while bold hues might be better for a more dynamic living space.
• Furniture and Accessories: One of the main tasks of an interior decorator is to curate a room’s furniture and accessories. They choose pieces that fit the room’s style, size, and function, creating a cohesive look. For example, in a minimalist living room, they might opt for sleek, modern furniture with clean lines and minimal accessories to keep the space feeling open and airy.
• Finishing Touches: Once the larger pieces are in place, decorators focus on adding the final layers of detail to a room. This might include selecting artwork, placing decorative objects like vases and sculptures, and layering in textiles like throw pillows and rugs. These small touches are what truly bring a room together and make it feel complete.

Skills Involved:

Decorators excel at making spaces visually appealing and comfortable. They have a keen eye for:

• Color and Texture: Understanding how to combine colors and textures to create harmony and balance in a room is a key part of a decorator’s job. They know how to layer textures—like adding a velvet throw to a leather sofa—to make a room feel more inviting.
• Furniture Arrangement: Decorators are skilled at arranging furniture to create functional layouts that also enhance a room’s aesthetic. For instance, they might use an L-shaped sofa to define a living room within an open-plan space.

Main Differences Between Interior Design and Decoration

Scope of Work:

• Interior Designers: They take a broader, more structural approach to improving the functionality and aesthetics of a space. They consider everything from lighting and plumbing to spatial planning and construction, which is why designers are often involved in major renovations or new builds.
• Interior Decorators: Their work focuses more on the surface-level elements of a room, like selecting furniture, color schemes, and decor. They don’t typically make structural changes to a space.

Technical Aspects:

• Interior designers often work with blueprints, make architectural changes, and are skilled at managing projects that involve complex elements like electrical layouts, plumbing, and lighting.
• Decorators don’t require the same technical expertise. Instead, they focus on how a space looks and feels, choosing pieces that align with the homeowner’s style and needs.

Collaborations:

• Designers: They collaborate closely with architects, builders, and contractors. For example, in a new build or a major renovation, they might work with an architect to tweak the layout and maximize natural light.
• Decorators: They often collaborate directly with homeowners to bring their personal style to life, though they might also work alongside interior designers on larger projects.

When to Hire an Interior Designer

Hiring an interior designer is the best option when you’re making significant changes to your space or starting from scratch.

• New Construction Projects: If you’re building a new home, an interior designer can help with everything from space planning to selecting materials that align with your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
• Major Renovations: If your project involves knocking down walls, adding rooms, or moving plumbing or electrical systems, you’ll want a designer to ensure that everything is done safely and effectively. For example, if you’re converting a garage into a home office, a designer can help you maximize the space while ensuring it flows well with the rest of your home.
• When You Need Expert Coordination: Designers are skilled at coordinating with contractors, architects, and engineers to ensure that your vision is executed properly. They can also help you stick to your budget and timeline, which is invaluable for large-scale projects.

When to Hire an Interior Decorator

Hiring an interior decorator is ideal for projects where the structure and layout of your space are already set, but you need help with the aesthetics.

• Refreshing an Existing Space: If your living room feels outdated or your bedroom needs a refresh, an interior decorator can help you choose new furniture, textiles, and decor that reflect your style and bring new life to the space.
• Furnishing a New Build: Once your new home is complete, a decorator can help you choose furniture, lighting, and decor that will complement the design. They’ll work with you to create a space that feels cohesive and styled to your taste.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between interior design and interior decoration is crucial when planning a home project, as each service addresses different aspects of transforming a space. While interior designers focus on optimizing both the functionality and beauty of a room, making structural changes, and working closely with contractors, interior decorators hone in on aesthetics, selecting colors, furnishings, and accessories that bring a room to life.

At Madissen Walker Interiors, we proudly offer both interior design and interior decoration services. Whether you’re embarking on a major renovation, building a new home, or simply refreshing a space, our team can guide you through every stage of the process. From creating functional layouts that enhance your lifestyle to selecting the perfect decor to complement your vision, we are here to help you turn your space into something uniquely yours. Let us know how we can help bring your dream home to life!